Police and media personnel at the Geometry Brewery and Kitchen, Rajajinagar, on Monday.
Credit: DH Photo/BK Janardhan
Bengaluru: High drama unfolded in northern Bengaluru on Monday after an unknown man, allegedly armed with a pistol, forcibly entered a brewery, and stole cash.
The incident occurred at the Geometry Brewery and Kitchen at 8th Main, A Block, Subramanya Nagar, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, between 1.30 am and 4 am.
The masked suspect, about 24 to 26 years, forced open the back door of the brewery, entered the owner's office on the third floor, and stole around Rs 50,000 in cash from the counter he broke open. He also cut off the electricity to CCTVs, the police said, limiting footage to some of his movements on the third floor.
A security guard manning the front gate told the police that he saw the suspect carrying what looked like a pistol. He said he checked the rear entrance after hearing a noise and saw the suspect, who, apart from the mask, wore a black jacket and gloves.
The guard informed the supervisor at 3.38 am, who then arrived at the spot, locked the building from the outside and called the 112 emergency helpline. The supervisor alleged the suspect showed him the pistol when he and an office boy went up to the third floor.
"It is true there was an intruder. Since the watchman was far away, he may have mistaken something else for a weapon. It is yet to be confirmed through investigations whether the suspect was indeed armed,” said Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North).
Night beat officials and the Subramanya Nagar station police inspector reached the spot following the alert. The area was cordoned off and a Quick Response Team (QRT) dispatched.
The QRT conducted a floor-by-floor search, but found no one. Drones were also deployed to get a bird's-eye view of the building and possible escape routes. The operation lasted till 10 am. It was not clear how the suspect escaped.
Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash also visited the spot.
The Subramanya Nagar police registered a case under BNS sections 309 (robbery) and 331 (house-trespass). Teams have been formed to trace the suspect.
A police officer close to the probe suggested the role of an insider.